The former Australia international, who arrived on a short cover deal at the end of last season, has been training with the squad at Farleigh House again.

The 28-year-old hooker has again been called in to compensate for injuries but he has not signed a contract.

With Tom Dunn (broken ankle) and Michael van Vuuren (hamstring tear) still rehabilitating their respective injuries, and academy hooker Gabriel Oghre having moved to Wasps, without Charles only Ross Batty and Jack Walker are fit to train.

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Charles, who is thought to be the only professional athlete with the genetic condition cystic fibrosis, made one Premiership appearance from the bench against Worcester Warriors in April and started against Brive in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final.

He also featured for Bath United and impressed with his dynamic loose play.

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As the club look to reconnect with the community, their alternative training venues have included Beechen Cliff School, CrossFit Bath, jiu-jitsu at Gracie Barra Bath and repeatedly scaling Jacob's Ladder near Alexandra Park while carrying weights.

The DoR added: "I feel the players are growing their capacity and linking that into the rugby, and we're growing our culture.

"The only real measurable is when yo come up against the opposition, but through my experience I think we're well and truly on track."